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First Congregational Church, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Annual Reports of the Handbell Choir

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Chancel Choir Anthems in Title Order / Date Order - Chancel Choir Members

          This page lists the Handbell Choir sections of the printed Annual Reports for the Annual Meetings of the First Congregational Church of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. - Annual Reports of the Chancel Choir

| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |


2007 There was no April 2008 report due to the change in the Director.
From the 4-27-2008 Annual Report, Report of the Music Ministry Group: "In December, we received a letter of resignation from our Handbell Choir Director of nine years, Ken Snart, who moved in January (2008) to Eau Claire. (In February 2008, Cara Davis was called as our new Handbell Choir Director, and has begun her ministry here.)"

2006 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-22-2007, p. 21
          As 2006 began, there was a group of 13 people in the bell choir, giving us one person extra for our 3 octaves of handbells. One person in the choir acted as the "float' that would fit in if someone else could not be there for a performance. Members took turns in this position and each performance had at least one person who could not be there so it worked out well.
          In September, 3 members dropped out of the choir and we had one new member. This left us one position short for 3 octaves. In our remaining performances for 2006 either the director played a part while directing or there was a substitute for that performance.
          The bell choir played during 6 church services this year. We used 3 octave music for all of the performances. Most of the music was in our library and we also purchased a few new pieces of music. With the exception of the December 10th performance the bell choir played from the balcony. On December 10th the choir played from the front of the sanctuary and played music with different techniques that were interesting for the congregation to see.
          The group of bell ringers during 2006 included Andrea and Joel Schneider, Traci and Sam Schlaak, Gerald and Cynthia Bertsch, Pat Nichols, Kay Sanders, Sue Coghill, Barb Williams, Steve Hazell, Kristin Janssen, and Kim Miller. They are a very hardworking group of people and are all dedicated to making the bell choir a wonderful addition to FCC's services.
          As 2006 came to an end there were 3 new members that were planning to join early in 2007 so the choir is looking forward to growth and to continue to contribute to FCC's creative and diverse tradition of worship.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

2005 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-30-2006, p. 20
          2005 started out with a small but dedicated group of bell ringers. We played twice in the spring and had a time of fellowship to end the season in June.
          In September we had 5 new members join the choir. We are now back to using all 3 octaves of bells and are able to do more challenging music than earlier in the year.
          We have been able to utilize music that was purchased several years ago that is written for 3 octaves of bells and we also purchased a few new pieces.
          We played with the Chancel Choir on Christmas Eve and also played one time with the Angel Choir during the year. We continue to play mostly from the balcony although we did play once during the year from the front of the sanctuary. It is nice once a year for everyone to be able to see the bells up in front.
          As 2005 came to an end we had a very hardworking and dedicated group of people and will continue to work on more challenging music and be able to do different things. Members of the bell choir in 2005 included Andrea and Joel Schneider, Traci and Sam Schlaak, Gerald and Cynthia Bertsch, Sue Coghill, Barb Williams, Kay Sanders, Steve Hazell, Kristin Janssen, and Pat Nichols.
          Overall, 2005 was a very exciting year for the choir and a year of growth. We look forward to continues growth and sharing in worship.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

2004 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-24-2005, p. 25
          2004 was a productive year for the bell choir. We played in church several times during the year and had several times of fellowship.
          We had some members drop out at the year in May and then some new members join in September. We have only been able to use 2 of our 3 octaves this year due to not having enough players. We only use 2 of the 3 octaves of hand chimes. The quality of music and performance continues to be high even though we are using fewer bells.
          We purchased some new music this year that can be played by either 2 or 3 octaves of handbells so that when our group grows in numbers we will still be able to use the music.
          We played with the Children's choir and also with the adult choir this year. Both were good opportunities for both groups and enjoyed by all.
          We continue to play mostly from the balcony. We did play from the front of the church on Christmas Eve and it was nice for the congregation to see the handbells. Overall it is much more advantageous to play from the balcony and we will continue to use this space.
          As 2004 came to an end we had a very hardworking and dedicated group of people and will be able to move on to more challenging music as 2005 begins. Members of the bell choir in 2004 included Andrea Schneider, Traci and Molly Schlaak, Mary Kusche, Sue Coghill, Ulla Linenthal, Barb Williams, Kay Sanders, Steve Hazell, Sandie Miller, Pat Nichols, and Maria Talin. Linda Ruona has been very helpful to the bell choir agreeing to substitute when we have needed extra players. Elizabeth Henkle also served as a substitute player on Christmas Eve.
          Overall, 2004 was a very exciting year for the choir and we look forward to many years of playing bells at FCC.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

2003 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-25-2004, p. 25
          2003 was a productive year for the bell choir. We played in church several times during the year and had several times of fellowship.
          We had some members drop out at the year in May and then some new members join in September. We continue to use all 3 octaves of bells that were purchased in 1999.
          We purchased a 3-octave set of hand chimes during 2003 that we have used in worship services several times. The hand chimes are sometimes played separately and sometimes both bells and hand chimes are played in the same piece of music. It adds a wonderful new sound to the choir.
          We have had opportunities to play with the children's choir and also with the adult choir in church.
          One exciting change this year was that we were able to play bells from the balcony. It gives the bell choir much more room and the sound is beautiful from that area.
          As 2003 came to an end we had a very hardworking and dedicated group of people and will be able to move on to more challenging music as 2004 begins. Members of the bell choir in 2004 included Andrea Schneider, Traci and Molly Schlaak, Mary Kusche, Jim Weiland, Sue Coghill, Ulla Linenthal, Cindy Riess, Cathi Pipping, Barb Williams, Kay Sanders, Steve Hazell, Sandie Miller, and Pat Nichols.
          Overall, 2003 was a very exciting year for the choir and we look forward to many years of playing bells at FCC.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

2002 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-27-2003, p. 29
          2002 was a productive year for the bell choir. We played in church several times during the year and had several times of fellowship.
          We had some members drop out at the year in May and then some new members join in September. We continue to use all 3 octaves of bells that were purchased in 1999.
          We have had opportunities to play with the children's choir and also with the adult choir in church.
          For the first time the bell choir played a program for a group at church. We were able to put together a forty five-minute program of music that we had worked on over the past months. The program was very well received and the choir's confidence grew as a result.
          The choir is able to play music that is more difficult and adapts easily to changes and the needs that arise.
          The choir continues to be a very hardworking and dedicated group of people. Members of the bell choir in 2004 included Andrea Schneider, Traci and Molly Schlaak, Mary Kusche, Jim Weiland, Sue Coghill, Ulla Linenthal, Cindy and Dan Riess, Cathi Pipping, Barb Williams, and Sandie Miller.
          Overall, 2002 was a very exciting year for the choir and we look forward to many years of playing bells at FCC.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

2001 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-28-2002, p. 25
          We began our third season of handbell choir in September of 2001. We played in September for the first time. Our second performance was in November and another performance on Christmas Eve. All of our performances were well received and there were many positive comments from members of the congregation.
          The Christmas Eve performance included a piece with the adult choir which was enjoyed by all and offered a different sound for the congregation.
          Members this year have been Cindy and Dan Riess, Jim Weiland, Andrea Schneider, Sue Coghill, Ulla Linenthal, Cathi Pipping, Mary Kusche, Edie and Becky Truesdale, and Barb Williams.
          The choir continues to show signs of growth and musical maturity. They play with confidence take on new and more challenging music with enthusiasm.
          The bells will play on Easter Sunday this to accompany the Angel Choir on one of their anthems. We will also play on May 19th for one last time before summer recess.
          The choir has two times of fellowship this year. The first being a party during the summer at Jim Weiland's home and the second being a Christmas party at Ken Snart's home. Both were nice times of fellowship enjoyed by all.
          Overall, it has been a very successful year for the choir and they seem to be pleased with the progress they have made in their skills and performance abilities. I have been proud to be their director and will continue to enjoy working with them in the next season.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

2000 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-22-2001, p. 24
          We began our second season of handbell choir in September of 2000. Most of the members from last year returned and we played in church for the first time in November.
          New members this season include Cindy Riess, Dan Riess, Andrea Schneider and Edie Truesdale.
          We played in church for the 7:30 Christmas Eve service and it was well received.
          In October I received a letter from Maggie Dewey along with a piece of music that she had commissioned especially for our choir. We have been working on this piece and will play it in church this May.
          Marty Medley made table covers for the choir and did a beautiful job.
          We played in church the last Sunday in February, and it was, once again, well received.
          The choir has shown signs of growth this year in several ways. First, they are less nervous when performing and play with more confidence. Second, they are able to read music better and we are able to cover more in our rehearsals. Rather than just working on what we will be playing for the next performance we are able to work on music for the next few performances and look at things from more of a long term prospective.
          We will play in church on Easter Sunday this year and one more time before we recess for the summer.
          Overall, it has been a very successful year. I could not have asked for a more dedicated group of people to work with. My hope is that we will continue to grow and that we will be able to move on to more challenging music in the future so that the congregation will be treated to new and different types of music in the seasons to come.
          It continues to be a joy to work with the bell choir and I am looking forward to the 2001 season with great expectations and enthusiasm.
                    Ken Snart
                    Handbell Choir Director

1999 Report of the Handbell Choir Director - 4-30-2000, p. 13
          During 1999 FCC researched the idea of buying handbells and starting a handbell choir. Cathi Pipping and Mary Kusche were kind enough to do the research and present their findings to the music committee. The music committee discussed the idea in terms of hopes and fears about getting handbells and made the decision to purchase a 3-octave set of handbells from Malmark.
          The bells were purchased with memorial gifts from the following people: Sally Weiland, Mildred and Louie Lyon, Phil Rhyner, and Mac McCain.
          I was offered and accepted the position of handbell choir director. The bells arrived October 20, 1999 after they had been projected to arrive some time in September 1999. In the meantime I had put out several announcements to recruit people to play in the handbell choir and there were between 10-15 people who showed interest. It was decided to practice on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 because several people in the adult choir were interested and it would mean one night out for them rather than two. Our first rehearsal was on Wednesday October 27, 1999. This rehearsal time has worked out well.
          Members of the choir in 1999 included: Sue Coghill, Aaron Dyer, Mike Dyer, Tony Hengst, Chris Jameson, Mary Kusche, Ulla Linenthal, Cathi Pipping, Kay Sanders, Jim Weiland and Barb Williams. Jeff Dyer was kind enough to substitute for us when we needed an extra ringer.
          Several members of the handbell choir played in church for Memorial Sunday in November. The performance was well received by the congregation. The entire choir played in church on December 12, 1999. This performance was also well received by the congregation.
          Also in 1999 Ulla Linenthal was kind enough to do research for making table covers for the choir. She put together a plan that included a pattern and choices of materials to be used. The plan was passed along to Marty Medley who has agreed to help make the table covers. They should be completed and put to use sometime in 2000.
          From a director's stand point, I could not have asked for a more dedicated and hard working group of people. They took the job seriously, and also had a lot of fun and fellowship in the process. It has been a joy to work with them and I look forward to 2000.
                    Ken Snart, Bell Choir Director

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